25 PH-MidEast flights disrupted - CAAP

THOUSANDS of passengers traveling between the Philippines and the Middle East were affected by cancellations and diversions over February 28 to March 1 as escalating regional tensions triggered airspace closures and operational restrictions, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said.

- MYLAIGLESIAS

Flight disruptions

Asof1:00pmon March 1, CAAPdatashowed 25 disrupted flights over the two-day period: 14 flights affected on February 28, consisting of 11 cancellations and three diversions, followed by 11 cancellations on March 1.

By airline, the canceled flights included eight operated by Philippine Airlines, six by Emirates, three by Etihad Airways, two each by Qatar Airways and Cebu Pacific, and one by Gulf Air. CAP also recorded diversions involving two PAL flights and one Qatar Airways flight.

CAAP said that for eight flights on February 28 alone, at least 2,773 travelers were affected, while passenger totals for March 1 were still being consolidated.